Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)

Description: A large conspicuous butterfly, Giant Swallowtail is distinguished from Maritime swallowtails by it large size and the presence of a bright yellow diagonal band on the
otherwise largely dark brown upperside. Wingspan: 83 to 113 mm.

Flight Period: There are two flights in Ontario, the first from late May to July and the second from late July to early September.

Host Plant: Larvae feed on members of the citrus family (Rutaceae), of which there are no members in the Maritimes.

Notes: The only Maritimes record from before the Atlas is a specimen that was taken near Windsor Junction, Nova Scotia in 1901. The species is rapidly expanding its breeding range in southern Ontario, southern Quebec, and New England. This will likely result in more frequent Maritimes vagrants in future.